  Then RÁma, when the morning rose, Called Lakshma? gently from repose: “Awake, the pleasant voices hear Of forest birds that warble near. Scourge of thy foes, no longer stay; The hour is come to speed away.” The slumbering prince unclosed his eyes When thus his brother bade him rise, Compelling, at the timely cry, Fatigue, and sleep, and rest to fly. The brothers rose and SÍtÁ too; Pure water from the stream they drew, Paid morning rites, then followed still The road to ChitrakÚ?a's hill. Then RÁma as he took the road With Lakshma?, while the morning, glowed, To the Videhan lady cried, SÍtÁ the fair, the lotus-eyed: “Look round thee, dear; each flowery tree Touched with the fire of morning see: The Kin?uk, now the Frosts are fled,— How glorious with his wreaths of red! The Bel-trees see, so loved of men, Hanging their boughs in every glen. O'erburthened with their fruit and flowers: A plenteous store of food is ours. See, Lakshma?, in the leafy trees, Where'er they make their home. Down hangs, the work of labouring bees The ponderous honeycomb. In the fair wood before us spread The startled wild-cock cries: Hark, where the flowers are soft to tread, The peacock's voice replies. Where elephants are roaming free, And sweet birds' songs are loud, The glorious ChitrakÚ?a see: His peaks are in the cloud. On fair smooth ground he stands displayed, Begirt by many a tree: O brother, in that holy shade How happy shall we be!”331 Then RÁma, Lakshma?, SÍtÁ, each Spoke raising suppliant hands this speech To him, in woodland dwelling met, VÁlmÍki, ancient anchoret: “O Saint, this mountain takes the mind, With creepers, trees of every kind, With fruit and roots abounding thus, A pleasant life it offers us: Here for a while we fain would stay, And pass a season blithe and gay.” Then the great saint, in duty trained, With honour gladly entertained: He gave his guests a welcome fair, And bade them sit and rest them there, RÁma of mighty arm and chest His faithful Lakshma? then addressed: “Brother, bring hither from the wood Selected timber strong and good, And build therewith a little cot; My heart rejoices in the spot That lies beneath the mountain's side, Remote, with water well supplied.” SumitrÁ's son his words obeyed, Brought many a tree, and deftly made, With branches in the forest cut, As RÁma bade, a leafy hut. Then RÁma, when the cottage stood Fair, firmly built, and walled with wood, To Lakshma? spake, whose eager mind To do his brother's will inclined: “Now, Lakshma? as our cot is made, Must sacrifice be duly paid By us, for lengthened life who hope, With venison of the antelope. Away, O bright-eyed Lakshma?, speed: Struck by thy bow a deer must bleed: As Scripture bids, we must not slight The duty that commands the rite.” Lakshma?, the chief whose arrows laid His foemen l
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